A/N: FINAL chapter to Eclipse is here! And I couldn't be happier and more thrilled to get started on Breaking Dawn, the final installment of this wonderful series. :) To those- like myself- who have read the books and seen the films, you will notice I changed the moment of another kiss from happening between Ruby and Regina. As I said, I wanted to change Ruby to where she is more likable and less cringe like Jacob, though, what happens in Breaking Dawn (no spoilers!) I will be leaving intact lol. But either way, please enjoy this last chapter and stay tuned for the 1st chapter of Breaking Dawn! The wedding is NEXT!
When Regina opened her eyes that following morning, she was delighted to see Emma, sitting inside the tent with her, patiently waiting.
"Hey," Regina greeted, looking around as she sat up. "Where's Ruby?"
"She went to make sure the coast was clear. Seth is just outside. How are you feeling?"
"Fine," Regina admits, feeling a little hot around a few places on the inside of her jacket. Ruby was ridiculously warm sometimes. "Emma, I'm really sorry you had to see that last night."
The corner of Emma's lip tilted up, "It definitely won't make my list of top ten favorite evenings. Besides, I may have made it clear to Ruby that I would fight for you, too."
"You have a list?" Regina smiles a little.
Emma nods, "All ten I've spent with you." She cups Regina's cheek, her thumb caressing along the scar above her lip.
"What's number one?" Regina asks, hopeful, leaning into Emma's touch.
"Number one is when you said you'd marry me. Mrs. Swan." Emma grins.
Regina chuckled, a blush settling along her cheeks. "I think Swan-Mills will suffice. I'd like to keep my father's last name a little longer."
Emma's grin grew. The sound of their joined names bringing joy into this unpredictable day for her.
"You're marrying her?"
They turn to Ruby's voice, her body crouched down, glaring into the tent with pained eyes, her lip curled.
"Ruby-" Said Regina, looking onto Emma, seeing no surprise in her eyes. "You knew she was listening."
"I didn't say I would fight fair." Said Emma.
"Ruby, wait!" Regina rushes out of the tent, behind Ruby. "Ruby, please. Let me explain."
"What?" Ruby whirls around, anger displaying in her eyes. "What can you possibly explain to me that I don't already know, Regina? I mean, she is the one you love, right?"
"Ruby, I was going to tell you…"
Ruby scoffs, "Please. Do you really think your leech would have given you the satisfaction to tell me without beating you to the punch first?" She shakes her head, fighting back tears. "You're making a mistake, Gina. Marriage, that's… it's a mistake. Okay? You can't possibly think that you can have a real life with her!"
"Yes, I can," said Regina.
Ruby chuckled, "Do you honestly think your dad will let you go through with this insane idea?"
"He has nothing to do with this. It's my decision- it's Emma's- and we want to be together. I no longer need his permission to get married. Especially not yours."
"Just when I thought you were smarter…" Ruby's jaw clenches to keep herself from finishing that sentence. "Whatever. You want to become one of them, that's your business."
"Is it? Because so far, you haven't respected it."
Ruby's frown deepens and her eyes soften with sadness, "Gina…" she takes a step closer toward Regina until her hands are gripping onto her shoulders. Her blue eyes pierced through hers. "I am begging you… please. Don't do this."
"I'm sorry, Ruby." Regina takes a step back, seeing Ruby's arms drop numbly along her sides. "I'm not going to change my mind." She turns to the sight of Emma as she appears beside her, reaching for her hand.
Ruby scoffs, shaking her head but before she can say anything else, she sees Seth running on four legs up to her, whining.
"They're here," Emma announces, reading on Seth's mind.
"You stay here and guard her with your life, Seth," Ruby instructs the younger wolf, her finger pointing at Regina. At Seth's nod, Ruby turns to Emma. "I'm gonna go kill some vampires."
Regina notices the tremble along Ruby's hand and watches as Ruby's clothes explode around her as her wolf form takes over, landing massively on four legs. "Ruby," she calls out, seeing her look over her shoulder. "Please. Be careful."
Ruby leaps off the mountain and takes off running into the direction of the battle.
"She'll be alright, Regina." Emma assured her.
Regina shakes her head, "She shouldn't have found out this way, Emma."
"She had a right to know. Lily was right, she would have found out sooner or later, and no matter when she found out, it would devastate her all the more."
Regina frowned, feeling Emma's arms encircle her into her body, her cool lips pressing along her temple.
Along the field, as the wave of newborns charge at Emma's family, so do they. Jefferson gets the first punch in, ripping the head off of a newborn clean off. August leaps, punching one into the ground. He reaches for a female newborn, holding her in a headlock and ripping her head to the side. Lily slides along her knees, avoiding being struck by a newborn, she runs toward Mal who swings one into a full circle. Lily leaps, slamming her palm along its chest until its body slams the ground. Clutching her fingers along its clothes, Lily tosses him into the air where Graham leaps up, catching him with its bare teeth, ripping it to shreds along the grass.
Paul, Quil, Embry, Ruby and even Leah join the fight, surprising every other newborn that surrounds the area. Ruby's growl grows angry, her teeth catching one newborn, followed by another, tearing into them as if they weren't made of hard stone.
"Ruby just got there," Emma announces, listening to the fight from all the way up the mountains. "She's alright."
Regina's heart stops at the thought of Ruby risking her life, of everyone risking her life. She watched Emma closely, taking mental notes of her hardened expressions.
Kathryn moved fast, avoiding being grabbed by one vampire then another. Her arm came up, locking one newborn along her strong hold, she pinned it down, forcing it to lean back, where Mal delivered a punch, breaking its head right off.
Lily leaped into the air, swiftly moving along Embry's fur coat, allowing him to trap a vampire right in its teeth. Jefferson punched one, followed by another, his feet racing through the field until he leaped high enough to where he landed right along the newborn's back that was chasing after Lily. His foot pressed along the squirming vampire's back until he reached for its arms and pulled them off like wings off a fly.
August looked to Paul's wolf form, whining and being held down by three newborns. He ran, headbudding one and immediately reaching for the other, twisting its head until it snapped off, giving Paul a chance to capture the third one. The corner of August's lip twisted into a small smirk as he nodded his head toward Paul who nodded back.
Mal and Kathryn stand before a much younger newborn. A girl, about fourteen years of age. They exchange looks as she didn't seem to want to fight, but rather was hiding the entire time from battle.
"What's happening, Emma?" Regina asked, concern masking her voice.
Emma's eyes widen on alert, "She's close," she breathes, turning to Regina. "You were right. It's Victoria, it's been her all along. She was about to join the fight but caught my scent. She knew you'd be with me."
Regina froze, all the blood draining from her body as she moved to be closer to Emma's side.
"Seth, go." Emma nods to the younger wolf.
Seth quickly goes into hiding, staying close and alert.
"She's not alone," Emma murmurs, holding Regina behind her protectively as a newborn vampire, a boy not older than Regina steps out from within the snow covered pine trees. "Riley…" she calls out his name, recognizing him from the news footage of missing persons. "You don't want to do this. This isn't the only life you could have for yourself. There are other ways. Victoria's just using you to distract me."
Regina gasps, her eyes suddenly see Victoria appear along a rock, crouched down like a cat. Her red eyes bright as they glare menacingly at Emma.
"She knows I'll kill you, Riley. Victoria will be glad she doesn't have to deal with you anymore." Said Emma, her eyes glaring in Riley's direction.
"Don't listen to her, Riley…" Said Victoria, her voice as soft as a whisper. "I've told you about their mind tricks."
"I can read her mind, Riley… I know what she thinks of you. She only created you and this army to avenge her true mate, Hyde."
Victoria's red eyes turn away from Emma to focus on Riley, "There's only you, Riley. You know that." Her voice softens.
"Think about it. You're from Forks. You know the area. She's just using you, Riley. Victoria doesn't love you."
Victoria's lip curls as she glares at Emma. "Don't listen to her, Riley," her red eyes turn to Riley. "I love you."
"Last chance, Riley… don't do this." Emma warns.
Riley takes a step forward, his red eyes glaring in Emma's direction. "You're dead," he leaps into the air.
Seth jumps out from hiding, quicker than Riley and catches him with his bare teeth. A growl followed by a scream emerges from Riley's throat as Seth rips his left hand off. Victoria is quick to start running.
"You won't get another chance like this again!" Emma is quick to announce, taking a step away from Regina, but keeping her body before her like a shield. Emma glares harder into Victoria's eyes as her red eyes glare right back. "You want her. You want me to feel the pain you felt when I killed Hyde," she walks a little further. "When I tore him into pieces. When I turned him into ash…" she watches Victoria's trembling body carefully. "When I turned him into nothing."
Victoria's growl fills the air, her entire body leaps at Emma, knocking them both to the snow, leaving a trail as they slid across the mountain. Regina takes a step back, gasping as Victoria leaps for her, but is relieved when Emma's hand quickly catches her along her jacket. Emma grunts as she swings Victoria across the air as far as she can manage.
Victoria catches herself along a tree, glaring over her shoulder at Regina as she growls menacingly at her. Emma watches her climb up the tree. She takes Regina by the hand and guides her through a few more trees, watching Victoria the entire time. Using her hands, Emma pushes one of the trees down to the ground and leaps at Victoria, grabbing her by the throat and slamming her hard against the snow.
Riley growls, kicking Set right along his face before charging in Emma's direction, knocking her off of Victoria. All three vampires as they fought, were covered in snow. Emma was quick to reach for Riley, slamming his head against the ground, raising it up, ready to rip it off of his neck. Her hands clasp Victoria's arms as they hold in a chokehold from behind.
Regina gasps, her eyes staring widely at how Riley holds Emma's hands behind her back, while Victoria moves her hands along Emma's head. Regina quickly searches for something along the ground, reaching for the first thing she touches and slides a sharp rock along her arm, hearing the fabric of her flannel shirt rip, followed by a warm trail of blood oozing its way down.
Victoria and Riley's eyes widen as they turn to the scent of Regina's blood.
Emma throws her head back, using that distraction to head-bud Riley in the face. After punching Victoria, she grips onto Riley's clothes, "Now, Seth!" She yells, tossing Riley over where Seth's bare teeth held a strong grip along his shoulder.
"Victoria!" Riley shouted her name over and over, seeking help that never came as Seth dragged him away.
Regina glared into Victoria's eyes, daring her to take the leap. A growl emerged from behind the vampire's throat as she leaped, encountering Emma standing before her again, blocking one of her punches this time.
Victoria's other hand quickly grasped along Emma's throat, but Emma reached for her arm, forcing Victoria's body to turn behind her, Emma reached back, grabbing hold of Victoria's clothes and launched her forward into the air. How Regina saw it, it was all a blur, one moment Victoria was being launched then the next, Emma was by her side, grabbing her by the back of the head and slamming her head first into the snow. Emma raised her up, growling menacingly before her teeth met Victoria's throat.
Regina's eyes grew wide as she saw Victoria's body land along the ground, her head detached and inch away from the rest of herself. She was dead. Her eyes looked up to Emma who walked toward her.
"Are you alright?" Emma asks, reaching for Regina's injured arm.
Regina nods, looking widely into Emma's own golden eyes.
"Did I frighten you?" Emma's head tilts.
Regina shakes her head, "No. That's not exactly the word I would use."
Emma chuckled softly, ripping a piece of her shirt to wrap tightly along Regina's arm. "That was an excellent distraction. Reckless, but brave."
"I wanted to help." Said Regina.
Both turn to Seth, who comes along growling softly.
"What's wrong?" Regina asks.
"We have to move. Lily wants us to go." Emma reaches for a lighter from her jacket pocket and tosses it along Victoria and Riley's dead bodies.
Regina watches how quickly their bodies catch fire. She couldn't recall Hyde's looking the way theirs was, just a very large flame like there was before her now.
"How long?" Emma asks, rushing toward the field with Regina by her side.
"Five, maybe ten minutes." Lily said.
"The pack needs to leave," Mal said, turning to Graham. "The Volturi won't honor a treaty with werewolves."
Graham nods.
The youngest of the newborns suddenly launches at Regina, but is caught quickly by Emma's hand closing around her throat.
"Emma, stop!" Mal shakes her head as Emma glares into her eyes.
Emma glares into the young vampire's red eyes menacingly before tossing her to the floor.
"How can you stand it?" The young vampire breathes out, gripping her hands along her own throat. "She's human!"
"She's my human," Emma warns, lacing her own fingers along with Regina's. "And she's untouchable."
"Now," Mal kneels before the young vampire, her eyes glaring. "I warned you. I don't want to kill you, but I will if you can't control yourself. You have to learn. You can. Like we all did."
More growling is heard as another newborn launches in their direction. Leah growls, not wasting any time in the confrontation.
"Leah, don't!" Said Emma.
Ruby leaps, rolling along the ground with the newborn strapped onto her back, they fight like that for a while until the vampire's arms wrap around Ruby's massive form and squeeze until bones crack. Ruby lets out a loud whine before her body collapses along the ground.
"Ruby!" Regina's eyes grow wide as she runs toward Ruby's human form, holding her right forearm against her chest.
Graham and Leah tear the vampire apart, before joining Mal, Emma, Quil, Embry, and Seth at Ruby's side.
"Ruby, don't move. Mal is going to take care of you." Emma promised.
"The bones on the right half of her body are shattered." Mal looks to Graham. "I need to set the bones before her accelerated healing kicks in. It's already starting."
"We need to get her out of here, Mal. We won't win a fight with the Volturi." Said Emma.
"We can take her back to Eugenia's." Graham said.
"I will be there as soon as I can." Mal nods.
"You'll be okay, Ruby." Said Regina, worry trembling in her voice.
Everyone of the pack lifted Ruby up, using their shoulders and hands to carefully hold onto her. Ruby's eyes shut tight as she grunted in pain.
"They're coming," Lily announced.
Regina's eyes looked away from the younger vampire to find four members of the Volturi standing no more five feet from them. Alec and Jane standing right in the middle with matching red eyes.
"Welcome, Jane," Emma nodded.
"Impressive. I've never seen a coven escape an assault of this magnitude intact." Said Jane after lowering her dark hood.
"We were lucky." Mal said.
"I doubt that."
"It appears we've missed an entertaining fight," said Alec.
"Yes. It's not often we're rendered unnecessary."
"If you'd arrived a half hour ago, you would have fulfilled your purpose." Said Emma.
"Pity." The corner of Jane's lip slightly tilted. Her eyes turn to the newborn girl. "You missed one."
"She has surrendered." Emma said, answering the confusion in Jane's mind.
Jane's red eyes flash to Emma. "Surrendered?"
"We offered her asylum in exchange for her surrender." Said Mal.
"That wasn't yours to offer." Said Jane, her eyes flickering over to the girl. "Why did you come? Who created you?"
What followed were high pitching screams coming from the young vampire, her body twisted up off the ground as she writhed in pain. Regina had to close her eyes and bury her face along Emma's chest.
Jane smiled at the agonizing scream emerging from the girl.
"She'll tell you anything you want to know," Emma said through her teeth. "You don't have to do that."
Jane looks up at Emma, humor coating her voice. "Oh, I know." She grinned before her eyes turned back to the girl.
The vampire gasped as the pain stopped all together, "I don't know… Riley wouldn't tell us. He said our thoughts weren't safe."
"Her name was Victoria," Emma answered, no emotion in her voice.
"Was?" Jane asked.
Emma nodded her head forward in the upper direction. Jane turned and it was as if her eyes focused and could see from afar at the pillar of smoke that emerged from the top of the mountain. She turns back to Emma, "This Victoria- she was in addition to the others here?"
"Yes. She had only one other with her. Riley," said Emma. "He's dead, too."
"Who dealt with the creator?" Jane asks.
"I did," Emma told her. "And Victoria."
"And you got them all?" Jane sees Mal nod in confirmation before she turns back to Emma. "Do you know what was behind it? It seems like extreme behavior, considering the way you live here."
"Victoria held a grudge against Regina," Emma told her.
Jane laughed- the sound rich and beautiful despite her red eyes. "This one seems to bring out bizarrely strong reactions in our kind," she observed Regina, smiling directly at her.
Emma's body stiffened beside Regina and Regina looked up to find her angry, her eyes glaring at Jane. "Would you please not do that?" She spoke through clench teeth.
Jane laughed again, like a young child that had achieved so much joy, "Just checking. No harm done, apparently."
Regina shivered, but was grateful that whatever glitch was wrong in her human system seemed to still protect her from any vampire's gift. Like it was the last time she had met Jane. She moved into Emma's side a little more, feeling her arm tighten around her.
Jane turned her head slightly to look at the vampire to her left, "Felix."
"Wait," Mal spoke up, seeing Jane's brow lift at her protest. "We could explain the rules to the young one. She doesn't seem unwilling to learn. She didn't know what she was doing. We'll take responsibility for her."
Jane's expression was torn between amusement and disbelief. "The Volturi don't give second chances. It's bad for our reputation. Which reminds me…" Suddenly her eyes are on Regina's again. "Caius will be so interested to hear that you're still human, Regina. Perhaps he'll decide to visit."
"The date is set," Lily announces, watching as Jane's smile disappears from her pale lips. "Perhaps we'll come visit you in a few months."
Jane ignores Lily's words and turns back to Mal. "It was nice to meet you, Mal- I'd thought Aro was exaggerating. Well, until we meet again…"
Mal nodded, her expression pained.
"Take care of that, Felix," Jane said, nodding toward the young vampire, her voice dipping in boredom. "I'd like to go home."
"Close your eyes, Gina," Emma whispered in Regina's ear, holding her closer to her chest.
Regina was more than happy to do as she was told, burying her face into Emma's chest and the crook of her neck. Her eyes shut tight but she could still hear a blood curdling scream, followed by a loud snap, followed by silence. She had seen her fair share of killings for today.
The tires along Regina's truck scraped along the dirt driveway as she pulled into Ruby's house. Lily had promised her that Ruby would be alright, but she still wanted to see for herself.
"Where's-?" Regina gasped as what followed were Ruby's agonizing screams coming from within the house. Eugenia's breath shuddered as she reached for Sue's hand who was right by her side.
"She's been screaming like that for an hour," said Quil, his eyes lowering to the floor.
"Ruby didn't have to butt in, I could have taken that tick-" Leah shifted on her feet anxiously.
"Give it a rest, Leah!" Paul said.
Soon it goes quiet, and Mal comes out of the house with Graham behind her. "The worst is over. She'll be alright," she tells Granny Lucas. "I gave her some morphine but her body temperature will burn it off soon. I'll be back to set up more."
"Thank you." Eugenia said, extending her hand at Mal.
Mal shakes Eugenia's hand and nods. And what Regina says is a sign that maybe Lily was right. Maybe the wolves were liking the Swan's now- Mal, at least- and could live within a truce.
Mal stood before Regina, nodding toward the door of the house, "She's been asking for you."
Regina looks to Granny Lucas who nods in approval before she heads inside the house. She follows the path that leads her into Ruby's bedroom, where she sees her entire right side covered in a body cast from the waist up. Her face was drenched in sweat. "Hey, Ruby," she murmured.
"Gina…" Ruby's lip tilts weakly. "Hey."
Regina moves in a little further, kneeling alongside the bed. "Thank God, you'll be okay. I was really worried about you."
Ruby breathed out a weak, trembling chuckle, "You worried about me?"
"Of course, I worry, Ruby."
"Well… at least I know I stand somewhere in your line of affection." Ruby smiles weakly. "If only that were enough…"
Regina frowns, "Can we please not talk about this now? You need to heal."
"Don't worry, Gina… I get it now. Besides, I think I'm broken enough. You couldn't possibly break me more." Ruby can't help but let out a small laugh that she instantly regrets as she grunts in pain. "I'll admit…" she swallows. "Emma isn't as bad as I thought. But, I still think she isn't right for you."
"And I still think that's my choice." Regina murmurs.
"It is. Just not the right one," said Ruby. "Gina… it would be as easy as breathing with me."
"Is this why you asked to see me? To change my mind?" Regina asks gently.
"No. I know I don't have a chance. That much is clear. But that doesn't mean I won't be waiting."
"Right," Regina nods. "Until my heart stops beating."
"Maybe even then."
Regina hesitates for a moment, but eventually she decides to lean in and place a kiss along Ruby's cheek, near the corner of her lip. Ruby's eyes slowly closed. "Rest up, Ruby." She whispers, heading toward the door.
"Gina…" Ruby calls out, waiting for Regina to turn around. "I need some time. Away from you. Away from all this."
Sadness filled Regina's eyes but she understood, "I love you, Ruby." She murmured as she walked out the door.
"Regina?" Henry stood up from the couch, surprised as his daughter clung to him in a hug. "Hey…" his brow furrowed, but suddenly his face filled with realization. "I guess you heard about Ruby, huh?"
Regina nods, parting from their hug. "Yeah. I just got back from seeing her."
"You saw her?" Henry asked. "When did you get back from camping? I thought-"
"Yeah-" Regina shook her head. "Change of plans. Weather didn't agree with us."
"Oh." Henry nods. "Well, that's good, I guess. How's Ruby?"
"She's okay," Regina nods. "She needs… time. You know, to heal."
"Well, good," Henry breathes. "You see, Regina, let this be a lesson to you. That is what happens when you ride around on a motorcycle."
Regina nods, knowing that's the story that Granny Lucas told him about why Ruby ended up with a broken right side. "Yeah. I know, dad."
"I hope I don't have to worry about you."
"No," Regina shook her head, "I promise, you don't. I don't plan on riding a motorcycle ever again."
"Good."
Regina smiled, "Well, I think I'm gonna head up to my room. I'm really beat, dad." She hugs him once more and this time, she feels her father's embrace tighten around her for a minute before he lets her go. "Good night."
"Regina, hang on a second," Henry says, walking to the end of the stairs. "I, uh… well, I-" he chuckles, shaking his head. "I don't know how to say this."
"Say what?" Regina's brow furrowed.
"Well, it's just," he scratches along his beard that's coming in nicely. "I don't know, you're going to think I'm crazy, but… all day today, I couldn't help the feeling of… losing you. Forever. Like it's going to happen soon."
"Don't be silly, dad," Regina murmurs, guiltily.
"No, I'm not being silly. Now, hear me out," he holds out a hand. "I just… would you please- please- let me know before you do anything drastic?"
"Drastic?" Regina's brow lifts. Like getting married in a drive-thru chapel in Vegas.
"Before you…" Henry rolls his eyes. "Run off with Emma or something?"
"Dad…" Regina groans.
"I give you my word that I won't discipline you about you. I just want a warning. That's all." Henry promises.
Cringing mentally, Regina holds up a hand. "This is silly, dad, but if it makes you feel better… I promise."
Henry nods, "Good."
Regina hugged him once more, her eyes closing as she took in her father's cologne scent. He still wore the one her mother loved on him when they were married. She bid him goodnight and went up to her room where Emma never failed to be.
Flowers bloomed from the meadow again, and sparkles along Emma's face shone along with the sun that struck down on her. It was the most beautiful sight to Regina, even as they shared a kiss that questioned both their self-controls. Of course, it was Emma who ultimately proved to be much stronger in that department, pulling away and leaving Regina aching for more.
Emma's cold knuckles traveled along the familiar trail of Regina's face. "So, August thirteenth?"
Regina nods, chewing on her lower lip. "Yeah. It's a month before my birthday. I don't need to be another year older than you."
Emma chuckled, "Gina… are you sure this is what you want? That you're making the right choice? I've seen you in so much pain-" her voice trails off on the last word. Regina can see the hurt behind Emma's eyes.
Regina touched Emma's lips, "Yes. Emma, I know who I can't live without."
"But…"
Regina shakes her head, "You don't understand. You may be brave enough or strong enough to live without me, if that's what's best. But I could never be that self-sacrificing. I have to be with you. It's the only way I can live."
A smile lit up Emma's face as her arms wrapped around Regina's waist and pulled her onto her lap to straddle it.
"I've chosen my life. You're my life, Emma, and now I want to start living it." Said Regina, her hands toying with Emma's soft golden hair.
Emma grinned happily, stroking Regina's hair, "And the guest list?"
Regina shrugged, "I don't care, really. Lily can invite who she wants, as long as I can invite a couple of werewolves. Although… I don't know how Ruby would feel to… attend." She frowns.
Emma's thumb strokes along her lips, ending at her scar. "Don't trouble yourself with that. It'll be your day, enjoy it. Don't worry about making everyone else happy, but yourself."
"You mean our day." Said Regina.
Emma chuckled, "Yes. Our day. And I'll keep my end of the bargain…" her voice trails off as she cups her hand along Regina's head and pulls her in. Their lips meet, and Regina melts away with the way Emma kisses her. It's sweet, passionate and patient.
Regina pulled away this time, her lungs aching for a breath after their shared kiss. "Emma…" she whispered against Emma's frozen lips. "I've always felt out of place in the world. I've had to suffer through loss and pain. I've never been more me than when I'm with you. This is my life. You are my life. It's always been my life. And I want to tie myself to you, in every way humanly possible."
Emma grinned, "Starting with a wedding that you allowed Lily to plan?"
Regina chuckled, "Actually… maybe starting with something a little dangerous and highly unpleasant. We have to tell my dad." She grins as she watches Emma's eyes widen in alarm. "It's a good thing you're bulletproof. I'm going to need that ring back now."
Emma's grin grew as she reached into her jacket pocket, pulled out the sparkling ring and placed it along Regina's finger of her left hand.
As Regina looked at the ring on her finger, even on the first time around, she realized that this is where it would remain- for all eternity.